ROBERT K. LAPPING (PARTNER) OBTAINS A VERDICT IN FAVOR OF AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST IN A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE

The patient underwent laparascopic bilateral partial salpingectomy.  She developed an internal postoperative bleed, which ultimately necessitated return to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy.  No bleeder was ultimately found, although the patient had considerable free blood in the abdomen.  Our clients were the anesthesiologists who covered the recovery room. They were sued for not recognizing the bleed early enough.  The patient showed no tachypnea and no tachycardia.  The case was defended in Queens on the bases of nothing done wrong and earlier intervention would not have made a difference in outcome.  Plaintiff developed massive adhesions and later opted for hysterectomy.  Plaintiff claimed sterility and lifelong pain.  Plaintiff’s counsel asked for $9 million in damages.  The jury exonerated our clients and the surgeon, who had also been sued.